With the permission of the larger United Methodist Church, Luminary UMC has experimented with a new leadership structure that began in 2015. The church’s administrative matters are handled exclusively by a Church Leadership Council. This group consists of 12 lay members of the church and the pastor, and is supported by other paid church staff. The lay members serve in three different “classes” so that each year, one-third of the group rotates off, allowing others to participate. The lay members also participate in standing work teams that focus on matters related to finance, leadership development, facilities, and labor/employment (what we now call “human resources,” traditionally staff-parish relations).

The CLC has developed the short-term and long-term vision for the church while handling basic administrative matters. The CLC has encouraged the development of additional “work teams” and “ministry teams,” providing opportunities for anyone active at Luminary UMC to participate in the growth of Christ’s kingdom through our church.

Openness is a key part of this leadership structure. CLC meetings are open to anyone, the only exception being when sensitive labor matters need to be discussed. Anyone can ask to be on the agenda of a CLC meeting by contacting the chair or the pastor. Minutes and decisions of the CLC are distributed via this web page and in paper form on a bulletin board outside the church office. We’ll also regularly report on the activities of the CLC in church publications.

2019 Church Leadership Council Members

Serving through Dec. 31, 2019

Sandra White (Finance Chair)

Bill Hughes

Mike Beard

Melissa Richardson

Serving through Dec. 31, 2020

Becky Woody (CLC Chair)

John Drake (HR Chair)

Linda Monk (Lay Member of Annual Conference)

Pam Hutchinson

Serving through Dec. 31, 2021

Bobby Jackson (Lay Leader)

David Beeson (Trustees Chair)

Bob VanNorman (on finance)

Gerry Hallcox

Standing Work Teams (chair listed first)

HR: John Drake, Linda Monk, Bobby Jackson, Gerry Hallcox, Pator

Trustees: David Beeson, Bill Hughes, Melissa Richardson, Gerry Hallcox

Finance: Sandra White, Mike Beard, Bob VanNorman, Bobby Jackson, Pastor, Bookkeeper

Lay Leadership: Pastor, Bobby Jackson, Pam Hutchinson, Mike Beard